The veins in the legs might become dilated, enlarged, and overfilled with blood when you develop varicose veins. This happens in any part of the body but is more common in the legs due to increased pressure when walking and standing. The varicose veins may cause pain, discomfort, and other serious health problems for a few people, but most patients might become uncomfortable due to cosmetic reasons. Treatment for the mild condition may involve self-care procedures, but for the more chronic one, procedures should be done by healthcare providers; you should look for an Upper East Side varicose vein expert who focuses on these varicose veins treatments.
Common Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins might result in painless symptoms, including blue and dark purple veins, budging and twisted like cords, muscle cramping, burning, and throbbing. You may experience worsening pain after standing for a long time, heavy feeling in the legs, and changes in skin color around the varicose vein.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Weak and damaged valves in the veins can lead to varicose veins; the valves should control blood circulation to prevent backflow; if these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow back into the veins leading to swelling that causes the veins to twist. Moreover, a sedentary lifestyle might cause varicose veins.
Varicose Veins Risk Factors
- Aging results in the wear and tear of vein valves over time, allowing backflow of blood where it collects. Thus older adults might develop varicose veins compared to young people.
- Sex; women might develop varicose veins due to the hormonal changes in their bodies; female hormones tend to relax vein walls, and hormonal pills and treatments heighten the risks. Thus before adopting a birth control method, your doctor might assess if it will cause the condition.
- Obesity; being overweight increases the pressure added to the veins in the leg region.
- Family history; varicose veins can be passed down genetically.
- Pregnancy; increased blood volume in the body during pregnancy to support the growing baby can enlarge the veins in the legs.
Treatment
Varicose veins and spider veins do not just disappear; naturally, they might become less visible but will likely return over time. Its diagnosis is made through a physical examination and an ultrasound to look at the blood flow to detect a blood clot.
Treatment for mild varicose veins can involve self-care procedures such as exercising, including raising legs when sitting or lying down, wearing compression stocking that squeezes the leg, and facilitating easy blood movement.
A health care provider might recommend surgeries and other procedures for severe or chronic instances of varicose veins; laser treatment sends a strong burst of light onto the vein, making it slowly disappear.
Prevention
You should avoid high-heeled shoes and tight hosiery, engage in frequent exercise, eat a low-salt diet with high fiber, change sitting and standing positions regularly and watch body weight to avoid obesity.
Although varicose veins cause cosmetic problems, they may cause pain and the inability of the blood to move to the upper body. Your doctor will educate you on varicose veins prevention and treatment; good luck dealing with varicose veins.